DrIBEX Ideas

If worry keeps you from getting a good night’s sleep, Psalms 3 and 4 were written for you. Psalms 3–7 were evidently composed when David was exiled from Jerusalem because his son Absalom had stolen the kingdom (2 Sam. 15–18 and see the Titles of Psalms 3 and 7).

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
3:1 O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah

Psalm 3 is a morning psalm (Ps. 3:5), and
Psalm 4 is an evening psalm (Ps. 4:8).

How was David able to sleep when he was in such danger? The enemy was against him (vv. 1, 6) but David knew that God was for him. When people discourage you (v. 2), God lifts up your head and keeps you going (v. 3).

God surrounds you like a shield (v. 3).
God sustains you by your sleep (v. 5).
God secures you with His salvation (vv. 7–8).

While others say that there is no salvation (deliverance) for him (v. 2),
David knows that his salvation is secure because it “belongs to the Lord.”
Therefore, you will NOT be afraid even if you are surrounded and outnumbered! (v. 6).

Like Psalm 2, David again shows his faith in the Davidic Covenant Promises (2 Sam. 7:27–29).

God never sleeps (Ps. 121:3–4), so why should you stay awake and worry?
“If you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep—talk to the Shepherd!”

Almighty God and Father, when my enemies are all around me, help me to trust in Your promises, to know that Your love and power are a shield about me, and that nothing can separate me from the salvation which You have given me in Your Son Jesus. AMEN.

*From Awake O Harp, to be published in February.*